The Bible has been through a long and sometimes perilous journey. It has been scorned, debated, uplifted, criticised and interpreted. Today it is the mission of the Bermuda Bible Society to make the Bible accessible to any who want it. Ultimately, they encourage anyone who has an interest in the Bible to get a copy of the Holy Scriptures and to make it a personal part of their lives.

The Bermuda Bible Society dates back to 1816, and they became a local auxiliary member of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1819. They are presently affiliated with the Canadian Bible Society, and they are a member of the United Bible Society as well. They are proud to state that they have been representative of all denominations in Bermuda.

The work locally takes on many facets. The BBS has given Bibles to every Bermuda Regiment recruit, translations of the Bible to the Tall Ship sailors (including such languages as French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and English!), and they even have portions of the Bible to give away on CD. Their fundraising efforts help towards those goals in addition to the translation, printing, and distribution of Bibles around the world.

A particular fundraising event of note is this year's concert entitled "Music in Praise". This is the ninth year it's been held, and it's located at a different church each year. On October 25, St. Mary's Church in Warwick is the location for this musical experience featuring such talent as Dr. Jimmy Lee Brown, Roseanne Foy Apex Four, Gary Bean, Tiffany Fox, Schobi and John, Jackie Wilson, Vanessa Guishard and Patricia Pogson as the narrator.

Tickets are $20 and are available through Rev. Erskine C. Simmons on 236-2955 and at the door.

BBS fundraising is year-round and includes the "Bible a Month Club" where for a donation of $5-$25 per month, you can ensure that Bibles are received both locally and globally. Anybody can join, and it's a great way to spread your witness and the light of the word.

In addition, the BBS teams up with local denominations to further their work. For example, the Bible Society will have a table at the Arboretum, for the Anglican Church's 400th Celebrations today from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and tomorrow from 3 p.m. until the open air diocese service finishes.

They will be distributing the book "God's Promises to You" and the MP3 Discs of the New Testament. Their outreach continues to be active and innovative.